We're in the clear....

No swine flu here! Just a little tummy bug. She's doing better now, eating solids and holding down liquid. Everything looks on the up and up!

when your baby calls a puking rally at 3 pm....

The first thing you do is, *gag* "what's that smell?"
Then, the next thing you know, you're flinging doors open, screaming at the hubby to call 911 and everyone is covered in vomit.
Calm and level-headed, I am not.
Kiddo is doing okay, I think it might have just been something we ate? By dinner, we were keeping down fluids and tried some applesauce and toast. Everything is looking on the up and up, but we are going to Doctor Cav just to check in the morning.
I'm not even going to go into my irrational thoughts about pigs and flus.

I've got bangs...and I know how to use them.

My Iphone on the other hand? No idea how to use IT.

Two vids of the babe

Vid one is of Scooter and dad enjoying an episode of Yo Gabba Gabba. Who is more enthralled with the show? I don't know. We are all pretty big fans here. Watch them get their wiggles out. Then you'll see how a 22 pound baby gets a grown man off of her pillow.



THEN...some baby tricks. These are the only two I could get her to do. BUT, you do get to hear her favorite word: "DANCE!"

Give this photo a title.

If I like your title the best, I'll send you 2 free AMC movie passes. Or something else I find lying around my house. ;)

Sick Dancing Orange Juice

Oh my goodness. SO, my life lately can be described by one word: snotty. Allergies have led to one heck of a sinus infection, complete with chest cough. SO, yeah. Baby S has not been affected, which is nice.
J has been busy busy busy busy busy busy busy with work and had to work straight through Easter weekend, so he didn't really get to enjoy my parents being in town, which is sad. But, I did get to spend lots of quality time with mom, which always feels a little bit nicer when I am sick (no matter how old I get).
Something that has been especially annoying lately is that stupid Tropicana commercial with the actress (what's her name?) who is dancing around in the kitchen to "She's a Lady." Oh my goodness, no one feels that good in the morning. AND no one, I mean NO ONE, feels that good about their orange juice. But, it does have one redeeming quality....it makes Scooter squeal with delight and shout "Dance Dance!" That is quickly followed up by a spastic clap dance that I really should catch on video...if J will ever bring back our camera to the house.

Moms on Oprah

So I'm a big fan of moms everywhere, duh. Thus being true, I was super psyched to see moms from the Momversation videos were going to be on Oprah, including Dooce, Karen, Melinda, and others (sorry, can't remember all).

The episode was great, but the more I thought about it, the more I got a little peeved. I mean, Oprah is known for being a little....how do you say it...."over the top?!" BUT, wasn't it just a big negative pity-party? So yeah, parenting is hard! It's not just hard for the moms (although, probably for most moms, it is)...but it is hard for the dads too. Men feel disillusioned as to what they expected from their lives, it's not just women. Everyone feels that.

So now is the time (as my mom would so blatantly put it) to put on our big girl panties and get glad!

*Waking up early sucks, but how much do we love our morning coffee, and those first snuggly moments with our little sleepy-heads? I know for a fact that Scout is stinkin' adorable early in the morning. When you walk into her room and she looks at you and points and says "GIOADOGJSDFJDFSIDIFJSDLJD," it makes it all worth while.

*So you're constantly juggling your work, baby, and home schedules. That's what life is about. You make plans, you take lessons, you teach your kids things, you spend time with them and you have to work to be able to do all of those things. It's a vicious cycle, but it is one that gives you purpose.

*So you are feeling unappreciated and struggling with your new identity as a parent or a provider. Ask for some recognition...maybe your partner is feeling at a loss. Maybe you need to give some cues. Take some time to yourself and regroup, but then dive back in! Get your feet wet! And the identity thing...someone on the Oprah show said it best...DON'T FIGHT IT! Re-invent yourself. You ARE a parent. It is a maddening thing, but it is a wonderful thing, too.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the hardships don't deserve their acknowledgment, too. I'm just saying that if you focus on the negative, you're going to reap the negative. Take delight in the small moments and cherish them. Remember them. Hold on to them in the dark times, and you're going to be alright. Have some belly laughs. Roll in the floor with your kiddos (dogs enjoy this activity also). Go outside for a jog, a walk, or a bike ride and get some Spring-time sun on your cheeks. Sing a silly song and dance.


What are some things that get you through your hard days? What do you do to relieve a little stress? Share your thoughts below, and I'll pick a random winner who will receive a lifetime of free E-Hugs from yours truly. :D

Or just cry in the shower. ;)

lack of posts: symptom of allergies?

Sorry for the recent lack of posts...all I've been able to think of lately is my battle with pollen! I made a doctor's appointment today, after having my eyes swollen for 18 hours straight...and counting. It looks like I got in a fight...and lost!

I'll keep you posted...hopefully.

a blog post to a blog....

Check out www.brittanilouise.com to see a feature on Scout! Thanks again, Mrs. O for taking such amazing pictures of our little ham!

How to keep a dog off the couch:

Pile a bunch of pillows, laptops, books, baby toys ontop of couch...no room for doggy!

Next up: How to keep a dog off the chair....

And now for the collective "ahhhh!"

What a productive weekend! Ahhh! Feels GOOD! Jay and I FINALLY got the garage cleaned out and allllll of the holiday decorations are now back in their rightful places in the attic. Geez, it only took us four months? When I started work on our garage, I could barely move around b/c of all of the bikes, strollers and other baby goods, boxes of decorations and baby clothes, and leftovers from replacing our floors. Finally, though, you could park our car in the garage! And everything is ORGANIZED. AND the dreadful old carpet has been hauled away! Now to tackle that pile of clean laundry on my bed....

The fabulous Brittani Louise is at it again!!!

Click here to see Baby's 12 month pics!

Thanks britt, those pics of her in the grass were exactly what I was picturing in my head....and the way you caught all of her little expressions and funny personality...is priceless. You cannot put any sort of value on pictures like these!

No blizzards here....

Mom and dad are experiencing blizzard conditions, and we are basking in the 80-degree sun! Hard to believe we live in the same state. Though we aren't having any crazy weather at the moment, earlier this week, the aTx did get some crazy hail. Most of everyone I know now has a dented car, at the least. Some people lost entire windshields and will be getting new rooftops on their houses.

Freaky weather!

Check out our friend's Jetta:

cravings....

No, not that kind of craving.

This kind:

Some info here and there....

Lots of things going on...spring has sprung! With the first day of Spring, we celebrated my brother's birthday. We also celebrated the arrival of pollen! My allergies have once again been fully affected. I didn't have any problem with them while I was pregnant/nursing...I wonder why that is? But here I am, all stuffy, watery-eyed and itchy-mouthed. The grass is starting to turn green, trees and flowers are blooming and Austin-ites are consuming local honey at new rates. :D The only thing I hate worse than the cedar is....SPIDERS! The first of our 8-legged friends made his appearance on our porch last night when I arrived home with arms full of groceries. Ick. Already!?

Scooty is growing, growing, growing. We've FINALLY made the switch to "people food." She is currently enjoying some Cheerios and raisins for her morning snack. We celebrated her 13 month with a Little Einstein's Scooter. We were so shocked when she knew EXACTLY how to make it move. I love watching her play, especially the older she gets. You can really see her mind cranking!

March was the month of weddings, and we are finally settling back into a routine. Congrats to Chris and Sarah, Laura and Brad, and Lori and Anthony! Here's a pic of E and myself after Laura and Brad's nuptials.



March in Austin also means South By Southwest was in town. Jay got to take in some new music at the Don't Mess With Texas Fest in Waterloo Park on Saturday. While he was doing that, my bro (D) and I enjoyed an Austin City Limits taping with Ben Harper and the Relentless7. I'll let you know the airdate and you should all watch, b/c I'm sure we'll be on television, dancing up a storm (front row, baby!).

Also, in blog-news...I've uploaded some of my OLLLLLLD blogs from good ol' myspace onto this blog. You can check them out in 2005 and there's more on up into 2006/2007.

Happy Spring!

Things to do:

Realize what you did wrong.
Take responsibility for your actions.
Accept the punishment for wrong actions.
Seek heartfelt forgiveness.
Rinse and do not repeat.

We learned a valuable lesson today....

When one hears baby quietly playing in room, content with being alone....check on baby. Baby may have found brand new bag of 500 wipes and MIGHT be emptying them on her bedroom floor.

You might then have to learn how to put 500 wipes back in a resealable bag.

OR part with said wipes.

oh....yeah....

ME: I get real frustrated how when sometimes I push the "on" button for the tv in the living room and the cable doesn't come on. then i can push the button "off' and then back "on" five times and it finally comes on. why is that?

J: That remote is kinda funky. I need to set up the good remote with our new cable.

ME: but it works every time in the bedroom. just not here. annoying.

J: IT’s because HDMI has a delay in the switching-the other remote will fix it. Trust me, little tech novice.

ME: you make me giggle.

Just an ordinary update.

Lots has been happening here at the house, and other places too, hence the lack of an update. In the past two weeks, we've been to two amazing weddings, thrown a bachelorette slumber party at our house, had 12 hour work projects due over the weekend, gone to an Austin Aztec soccer game, gotten 1 year pictures made for Scooty, had two sleepovers at cousin D's house, one sleepover at Mim's house, and there's another wedding this weekend that A is making an appearance as the matron-of-honor.

Baby has been in the mood for playing dress-up lately. One of her favorite activities during the day is to bring me shirts or pants from her hamper and motion for me to put them on her. She also likes to carry around a clutch purse of mommy's and put on headbands. Be afraid, be very afraid.

The adults of the casa have scheduled a retreat in May. I will be visiting Las Vegas for the first time in my life, and J couldn't be more excited to take me there. We will be there for a couple of days and then we are flying out to Seattle where we will hang out on top of the Whole Foods, walk to Pike Street Market, and check out the EMP (Experience Music Project). THEN, on the last four days of our trip, we are heading to Sasquatch Festival! We are so excited. We haven't had a vacation like this since our honeymoon in Switzerland.

We are recommending Orbitz right now b/c their hotels are 20% off when you book your airfare. Or something like that. :D

A shopping list:

Floor cleaner for laminate floors (recommendations welcome)
Shoes to wear in next week's wedding (silver, with heel that won't sink into mud)
Bachelorette party gift (something PG rated)
Wedding gift (something off registry?)
Wedding outfit (probably pants, due to clumsiness and dry skin)
Last-minute-babysitter-in-a-bottle (HELP!!!)